Does anyone have a Bernese mountain dog?

[Sunsun21]

If so are they the loyal, gentle giants I imagine? Pros and cons please?

I have leonberger (bigger but similar in temperament) however I’ve met lots of Bernese at the giant meets and they are all lovely

Have you joined some of the breed pages?
Lots of pros and cons on there.

Main cons:
Cost
Shorter lifespan than other breeds.
Hair, lots of hair
Some drool
Not massively high energy
Attract lots of attention!

I have 2 and they are exactly what you imagine and better!

They are expensive and unfortunately they don't have a long life expectancy compared to other dogs, but honestly mine are my best friends and I wouldn't be without, regardless of cost!

Just make sure you look into the breeder, it's important to go to a reputable breeder to ensure your puppy isn't bred with genetic defects!

Pro:
Happy to learn
Good natured
Gentle

Con:
Fur and drool
Needs space
LOTS of health issues and short lifespan

As with all dogs though, ultimately its down to your ability to train them - so bear in mind a good big dog is great but a bad big dog is near uncontrollable so research your training methods well in advance.

I have children with autism so I’m looking for a gentle dog that wants to be with you with some intelligence but not anxiety .I don’t mind about the fur and drool but would worry about the health issues? Can you elaborate?

Any viable alternatives you would recommend ? No chasers, no anxious dogs or picnic invaders .

Honestly, I’ve had many dogs and my leonberger and his bernese friends are incredible gentle and calm. Mine are relaxed around anyone and anything and have no aggression in them at all.
Don’t think you can beat the personality personally.

Guide dogs rehomes puppies who don't make it as guide dogs - they are very calm and trained so could be a good option.

That said my dd is autistic and we've had collies who basically share dcs traits (obsessed, prefers own company and sleeps in the day and is up at night!)

I know this seems seems an odd suggestion but Rottweilers are gentle intelligent usually calm dogs if well trained.
All large breeds have shorter life spans though and hip/joint issues need to be checked in a puppy and then mitigated against in life.

mootymoobi love Collies but have given them a big swerve for this reason. My favourite dog is actually a German shepherd - also v inappropriate unfortunately. If anyone can recommend a responsible breeder of Bernese by private message I’d be vey grateful. By the way where on earth do they sleep?

By the way where on earth do they sleep?

That size? Wherever they want!

My friend has one. She's gorgeous but god, the drool! Bleurgh!

My FIL has one, they got her from a puppy, they’ve spoilt her rather. She’s adorable though. Gets a bit jealous when our little ones get attention but she likes them too as they drop food when eating and she’s there to gobble it up.

She follows youngest around and was quite anxious when she was walking around in the garden as they have a pond. Apparently she jumped into the swimming pool when FIL was swimming to rescue him 😆

They also have a Newfoundland rescue, who is the sweetest and calmest dog I’ve ever met.

Both dogs are super drooly and eat everything in sight, upto and including recipe books, anything growing in the vegetable patch, any food of any description and plants they’ll give them a good go.

I have a St Bernard puppy. Fell in love with them after visiting a couple of breeders last year. She is growing rapidly, and a joy to have around. Incredibly patient with DS4 and his tantrums.

Golden Retriever?

@Anonymummy19 I think we need a picture!
🐶

I love Bernese Mountain dogs but unfortunately we are out at work for 10 hours a day (in normal times)

Golden retrievers are lovely but I’m a bit bored of them?

The eating everything could be annoying although my children drop food everywhere which they would like. I’d really like to get a slightly older dog , already trained. I do worry about the short life span and children having cope with that if very attached.

You could train the dog not to take food out of hands or depending how biddable (and food obsessed!) they are to not eat food on the floor without permission from you.

My dog won’t take food out of my children’s hands, they could smush it around her mouth she won’t take it unless they actually drop the food on the floor.

The kids can leave plates of food on the sofa and floor too (as young kids tend to 😖) and 9 times out of 10, she is a dog afterall! she won’t touch.

I should mention my dog isn’t a Bernese but I imagine you could train a Bernese puppy not to take food with training

** without permission I meant

I have one and he such a gentle loving thing, he just wants to be with his people all the time. I don't find he drools very much although the amount of his hair that sheds more than makes up for it!

As for where they sleep, well, wherever they fancy. DPup will just have a snooze in doorways, kitchen floors, on decking etc. We don't mind at all. She has a crate for overnight, but day time naps she can snooze wherever she wants.

These are very patient dogs, but do require a lot of training as puppies so they can behave when out in the community amongst others. It is constant so just be aware of this. They do learn quickly though.

They are great as therapy dogs. There's a lot of noise in our house from early morning til evening with the two youngest children, but she seems nonplussed about it.

@Sunsun21

Golden retrievers are lovely but I’m a bit bored of them?

How very dare you!